Poudre was a puff of nocturnal aroma on the Berliner asphalt of the Eberswalder Straße in Alexanderplatz (Germany). New Year’s Eve, where everyone lits a firework in front of their apartment building, evokes an acoustic afterglow echoing with the history and architecture of the city. From this popular event comes a subjacent feeling that oscillates between a state of insurrection, movements of rebellion or of a carnival party.

Acoustic symptoms arise, generated by the saturation of air and space due to the detonation of crackers activated in series. Hidden under the mask of a collective euphoria, the frustrations of the population explode in a loud noise probably proportional to its degree of alienation in society.

Fire, the artefact will to re-deploy these sound moments in the context of a public or home listening. Imagine offering this piece to the protagonists of this mistpoeffers unconscious. This could certainly irritate or attack their own sound exhalations.

— eRikm [English translation: John Anthony Huss, iv-17]

Poudre was realized in 2013 at the composer’s studio in Marseille (France) and premiered on September 13, 2013 as part of L’audible festival at Théâtre L’Échangeur (Bagnolet, France). The piece was commissioned by L’audible festival. Thanks to Jérôme Noetinger, Instants chavirés, and Michaela Stella Bagnoli.

Premiere

• September 13, 2013, L’audible festival 2013: Soirée 2, Théâtre L’échangeur, Bagnolet (Seine-Saint-Denis, France)